SpaceX Bags $733.5 Million for US Defense Technology Satellite Launches

SpaceX awarded the US $733.5 million to launch nine satellites to help augment military communication and intelligence by using advanced defense technology and satellite systems.

For the purpose of enhancing military communication and intelligence, the United States government has contracted SpaceX to the tune of $733.5 million to undertake the launch of nine satellites. There is a clear emphasis on defense technology as an emerging component in national security.

The contract entails two contracts, one for seven launches under the Space Development Agency (SDA) aimed at putting up missile tracking and data relay satellites, and two for the National Reconnaissance Office’s spy satellite support missions.

These missions come under the third phase of procurement services for national security space launch by the US defense and intelligence agencies known as NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1. Commenting on the services offered, Kristin Panzenhagen, Program Executive Officer for Assured Access to Space, stated that ‘This construct allows us to execute launch services more quickly for risk-tolerant payloads putting more capabilities in orbit faster to support national security.’

The SDA expects to execute thirty (30) launch missions by the year 2029, with the aim of developing a proliferation of satellites that can track, detect and relay any movements of the enemies’ missiles to the necessary military units. For this reason, the SDA looks for medium or small rockets that can be launched many times.

The Falcon 9 rocket, a classified medium-lift launch vehicle made by SpaceX, is 70 meters tall with a reusable structure. It has completed 381 launches, including 337 successful missions, contributing to US defense technology.